"I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent
Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last
thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon".
Author Unknown

Mid-Atlantic Weather Watch:

Fair, cold (1) with light snow (2, 3, 4). Windy, very cold, lake-effect snow late (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) more snow and stormy (11, 12). Fair and cold (13, 14, 15) with yet more snow, heavy in the southern part of the region (16, 17). Fair and very cold (18,19) with
Nor’easter, heavy snow (20, 21); lake-effect snow (22, 23) with still more snow mainly in the south again (24, 25, 26)turning fair and not so cold (27, 28, 29).

Full Moon: February’s Full Moon will occur on Monday, February 22nd. Many Native American tribes who lived in cold and temperate climates who faced harsh winters and a real scarcity of game during this month called it HUNGER MOON. It has also been referred to as Snow Moon because snow was often at its deepest now in certain parts of
North America (like in the Mid-Atlantic Region this month!).

Special Notes: The year 2016 is a Leap Year so we get an extra day this month! Watch out for "Punxsutawney Phil", who makes his much-anticipated appearance on Thursday, February 2nd. As we all know, on that day, he makes his "prediction’ of the coming of Spring and if the little coward sees his shadow, he will go back underground and
we will face another 6 weeks more of Mr. Winter! If he doesn’t, there will be an early Spring!

Holidays: Celebrate The Christian Festival of Lights, or Candelmas, on Thursday, February 2nd. The day is marked when many churches traditionally light more candles than usual during their daily services. The added light made the day special and it was also believed that the additional light provided protection from illness and
plague in the coming year. Ash Wednesday falls on February 10th and is the first day of Lent, a season of fasting and prayer. Valentine’s Day, February 14th, falls on Sunday in 2016. Plan a special day with your special someone and let them know just how special they are to you. The birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (Friday, February 12th) and George Washington
(Monday, the 22nd) are collectively celebrated on President’s Day which falls on Monday, February 15th to provide us with an extended holiday weekend.

The Garden: In the event of snow (and there will be some this month!), be sure to shake or brush off the white stuff from the branches of your evergreens and shrubs to prevent them from breaking or deforming under its weight. Stored summer flowering bulbs may try to start into growth if they are subjected to heat. They should be kept
very dry, and stored at 45E F. If they are shriveling, put them into slightly damp peat moss, but keep them cool! Keep tabs on all of your houseplants. They need special attention having been cooped up indoors for so long. Check to be sure they are getting enough sunlight and water and don’t ever let
the pots dry out. Always be checking for pests. Continue to put out bird seed. You want them to stick around and help with insect control when the weather starts to warm up.

J. Gruber’s Thought For Today’s Living

"If everyone were perfect, there would be no need for criticism, even of oneself".